According to Varsity head coach Chris Bixby, junior goalie Noah Houser has spent his first year on varsity challenging himself as Park’s new  goalie.

“Noah’s been great. He came out this year and had some big shoes to fill and ended up responding very quickly,” Bixby said. “He took on the challenge and is pushing himself and pushing the guys around him in terms of helping out the defensive unit and really stepped up.”

Houser said he chose to be a goalie to pick up slack when he was younger and has since stuck with it.

“I joined lacrosse because one of my friends back in middle school suggested I should because it was fun, and I’ve been a goalie since I joined,” Houser said. “Randomly, one game we needed somebody (to be goalie), and I decided to hop in because when I was a kid I wanted to be a hockey goalie.”

When putting together the varsity team, Bixby said he thought of Houser because of his natural talent and technical skill set he has built throughout his lacrosse career.

“When we looked at who the guys on varsity were going to be this year, Noah’s put the time in, isn’t afraid of the ball, his confidence has grown and he’s become more technically sound,” Bixby said. “He has really just grown and so for us, we had to find a goalie who we knew would push himself and get better through the season.”

Houser said he enjoys the greater responsibility as well as playing a larger role in the team’s success.

“There’s a lot of responsibility, and I like having a big impact on the team. As a goalie, my responsibilities are making saves and doing good passes on clears,” Houser said.

Bixby said Houser utilizes his role as goalie to inspire other players to work hard and to get the team excited when he saves passes.

“Noah is a quiet leader. He’s not as vocal as some of the guys but the defensive corps, they just like him, and they like being there in front of him and working hard for him, and it gets them excited when he makes a big save,” Bixby said.  “He’s been able to rally the guys and does great work on the field which has been good for us.”

According to Houser, making saves as a goalie can help pump up the team and motivate it as a whole.

“If we start off strong (in a game), and I make a save, it will keep us in the lead and gives the whole team motivation to keep playing hard,” Houser said.

Bixby said over this season, Houser has made improvements in his technical abilities, as well as his self-confidence and dedication to the game.

“It’s been good to watch Houser improve. His clears have gotten better, his passes have gotten better and the biggest thing that has changed throughout the season is his confidence,” Bixby said.

“He has the passion and the energy, and it’s fun having him at the net.”

According to GoPark.org the team’s next game is 6 p.m. May 24 at Jefferson High School against Bloomington Jefferson.